16 June 2009

An altogether OTHER realm

When asked whether we should pay taxes, Jesus said: "Show me a denarius. Whose head and whose title does it bear?" They said, "The emperor's." He said to them, "Then give to the emperor the things that are the emperor's, and to God the things that are God's." (Luke 20:24-25)

Notice Jesus does not say we are to pay taxes. He says more than that. He says, "My realm is not even on the same level as this money system." Keep that in mind next time you want to justify actions of the government with this saying of Jesus. Remember also that Jesus lack of support for the state is what eventually led to his crucifixion. The sign above his head read: "King of the Jews" which was a political statement not a religious statement. The Roman power structure interpreted his actions as a threat to the state and thus he was executed as a political prisoner. Yes, religion played a role in his death. But the stated reason for his execution, the sign over his head, read "KING of Jews." King is a political, not a religious, designation.

Jesus himself stated over and again that his realm was not of this world. He was not and did not seek to be a political leader. He was not a psychopath so he did not qualify for a high political post and he knew that and was interested in that king of manipulation of the population for personal gain. He was all about giving himself away - using people. Perhaps we may steer our own lives more in the direction of serving others rather than using others. That would be a positive change for us and for the wolrd.